Summary
In the bustling, often thankless environment of a boardinghouse, we encounter Edna, a 'slavey' whose meager existence is punctuated by moments of peculiar respite—notably, her sleep on the floor, curled within a carpet, a phonograph providing rhythmic vibrations upon her chest. Her landlady, a figure of parsimony, begrudges Edna's $2 weekly wage. Amidst this drudgery, a charming but perpetually indebted 'star boarder' emerges as Edna's unlikely admirer. Their clandestine affection is a dance of evasion, with the boarder making dramatic exits through windows to avoid rent demands. His attempts to assist Edna, from fumbling with market bundles to accompanying her to a job interview as an athletic instructor, are a masterclass in chaotic ineptitude. The interview itself spirals into a physical comedy free-for-all when a corpulent gym owner, smitten with Edna, violently dismisses the boarder. Edna, however, asserts her will, securing her love interest a position. What follows is a relentless, escalating battle of wills and slapstick antics between the boarder and the gym owner, culminating in an absurd, triumphant melee across various gym apparatus, all while Edna, in athletic attire, effortlessly demonstrates her own prowess.
Synopsis
Edna is a slavey in a boardinghouse. She has a good time when she sleeps - on the floor, rolled up in a carpet, with a phonograph playing on her chest. The landlady pays her $2 a week and thinks it is too much. The star boarder loves Edna, but does not pay his rent. When the landlady comes in through the door, the boarder pops out through the window. He slips downstairs to help Edna dry dishes. Then he goes with her to the market. She gives him her bundles. He drops them, falls over them, bumps, trips and finally manages to get home with them. Edna spies an ad which calls for an athletic instructor. She takes him with her. The fat gym owner wants Edna and gives the boarder a sock in the eye to let him know that he is not wanted. Edna insists that he be hired. Then it is that the boarder has the time of his life, pulling a porous-plaster from his boss' back, and also massaging him. The boss takes a dislike to him and chases him all over the gym. Edna, meanwhile, is in gym togs doing gym tricks with the girls. The men battle in the swimming pool, on the trapeze, on an upper runway, and over the gym floor. Back in the pool again, the boarder lands on his boss' neck and sticks, thumping him with a rolling-pin for a grand and glorious victory.
Review Excerpt
"Is Her Daily Dozen worth watching today? Short answer: yes, but with significant caveats, primarily for silent film enthusiasts, scholars of early cinema, and those curious about the foundational elements of physical comedy. This film is decidedly not for viewers seeking modern pacing, nuanced character development, or humor that doesn't rely heavily on broad slapstick.It’s a fascinating artifact, a vibrant snapshot of a bygone era of cinematic storytelling, yet its charms are often buried under..."
